Lakers' coach opening leads to buzz about Ollie

William Paxton

Updated 10:17 pm, Thursday, May 1, 2014

Photo: Fred Beckham, AP

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Connecticut men's basketball coach Kevin Ollie gestures during a celebration of UConn's championships in the NCAA men's and women's tournaments, at a rally at the State Capitol in Hartford, Conn., on Sunday, April 13, 2014. less

Connecticut men's basketball coach Kevin Ollie gestures during a celebration of UConn's championships in the NCAA men's and women's tournaments, at a rally at the State Capitol in Hartford, Conn., on Sunday, ... more

Photo: Fred Beckham, AP

Lakers' coach opening leads to buzz about Ollie

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Right before the national championship game last month in Arlington, Texas, the rumblings were that Kentucky coach John Calipari would be leaving for the Los Angeles Lakers' job. UConn coach Kevin Ollie also was linked to the job, with one Los Angeles Times writer suggesting he would be the perfect fit for the franchise. The problem then was the Lakers still had a coach in Mike D'Antoni.

Today, the Lakers' job is officially opened -- D'Antoni resigned Wednesday night -- and both Calipari and Ollie have had their names thrown back into the rumor mill. Multiple reports have indicated that the Lakers have interest in both coaches among a host of others. Calipari took to Twitter Thursday to deny interest in the position.

As of Thursday evening, Ollie has been silent.

On April 16, nine days after his Huskies completed an improbable run to the national championship by beating Kentucky 60-54, Ollie, 41, was asked on CBS This Morning about the possibility of moving on to the NBA. Ollie told Gayle King "not now in my life," but did not rule out a future move.

Could that future be now?

Ollie would owe UConn a $2 million buyout if he would leave in 2014, according to the five-year contract extension he agreed to in December 2012. Ollie, who was named interim coach when he succeeded Jim Calhoun in September 2012, is 52-18 in his two seasons.

UConn AD Warde Manuel said last month he would talk to Ollie about a contract extension, but to date, nothing has developed. Manuel did not respond Thursday to a request for comment on Ollie.

Daniel Hamilton, who is UConn's top recruit for next season, has committed to the school but has yet to sign a National Letter of Intent. Two weeks ago, in New York for the Jordan Brand Classic, Hamilton said he didn't believe Ollie was going anywhere when asked about the NBA rumors. Hamilton also confirmed he was coming to Storrs specifically to play for Ollie.